采用频域快速延迟线的光学相干层析系统的研制

建立了一套单模光纤型光学相干层析(OCT)成像系统。系统采用了不同于国内其他组的新型频域快速扫描延迟线(FD-ODL)和外差平衡接受技术,采取了一系列提高系统信噪比的方法,成功地实现高信噪比(113dB)、高分辨率、大成像深度的层析图像的提取,获得了纵向分辨率9μm、横向分辨率10μm、深度2.88μm的清晰的皮肤OCT图像。该系统比传统的采用时域延迟线的OCT在信噪比上高出了一个量级。     

复谱频域OCT系统高分辨率图像重建

为了提高复杂多层样品层析图像的分辨率,构建了复谱频域光学相干层析成像(CSOCT)系统.由于其在低亮度和高速成像方面相对于时域OCT具有更高的灵敏度,因此在光学相干层析成像系统中具有重要的作用.本文对测试样品二层盖波片进行成像实验,基于光学相干层析基本理论,采用五帧相移算法,最终获得测试样品的复谱频域OCT图像.实验结果表明,该系统可以消除谱频域OCT图像中的寄生项和镜像,改善和提高层析图像的分辨率.     

一种成像聚合物的新方法

美国标准与测试技术研究院的科学家和某大学的研究人员共同合作最近将一种新的成像技术应用于聚合复合物微细结构及其缺陷的无损测定。此项名为光学相干层析Ｘ射线摄影法（ＯＣＴ）的新方法是以物体扩散出的短光脉冲干涉测量分析为基础。在此之前，研究人员已在大学里研制...     

快速高分辨率的频谱光学相干层析成像系统研究

光学相干层析成像（OCT）是一种用于生物组织成像的新型技术.该技术在非接触及无创成像方面的分辨率可达到微米量级.目前,大多数的OCT系统主要为时域OCT,为获取深度图像,需要对参考臂的光程进行长度扫描,采集速度受到了限制.为此研制了一套频谱OCT系统,由于该系统避免了参考扫描,故可实现极高的采集速度（1 000线/s）,使实时成像成为可能;分析了频谱OCT的理论探测深度（6.26 mm）和分辨率（13μm）;应用该系统对50μm厚的塑料薄膜进行了成像,实验证明实际分辨率高于50 μm.     

基于阵列探测方式的时域光声成像系统

将阵列超声探头和超声相控技术与光声成像相结合的成像系统,与采用水听器的单探头旋转扫描光声成像系统相比,避免了机械旋转机构给光声信号采集所带来的不稳定性,提高了数据采集速度．时域光声信号由64阵元线阵超声探头以电子相控聚焦的方式进行线性扫描采集,然后通过时域后向投影算法进行光声图像的重建．采用波长532nm、重复频率10Hz的脉冲激光,系统可快速重建样品内部光学吸收分部的二维图像,单帧图像数据采集时间小于200s,成像横向分辨率小于2mm．实验结果表明,采用此方法可显著提高系统对光声信号的扫描稳定性和成像效率,该系统是一种有潜在临床应用价值的光声成像系统．     

新型计算成像技术——波阵面编码

波阵面编码成像（WFC）技术使用特殊光学表面一立方相位屏（CPM）一以编码的形式捕捉图像；这些由光学系统捕捉的“信息”经由后续的数字处理得到最终的图像。它能够大幅度地提高成像系统的性能并或减少成本。波阵面编码成像系统的设计技术与传统成像系统相比是独特的。这是因为，为使系统性能达到最优，必须对系统的光学与数字处理特性进行共同优化。本文针对波阵面编码成像系统的背景、技术特点、优点、设计和应用进行了简要讨论。     

提高时域乳腺光学层析成像质量的方法

时域乳腺光学层析成像技术可以有效重建乳腺组织的光学参数,实现乳腺癌的早期检测.为了提高重建图像的性能,针对图像重建过程中吸收系数和约化散射系数的雅克比矩阵间的量级差异,提出了一种有效的雅克比矩阵标定方法;为了克服不适定性因素对重建图像质量的影响,引入了图像分割技术实现对雅克比矩阵有效降维.实验数据的相关验证表明,上述两种方法可有效提高重建图像的质量.     

眼科光学相干层析成像设备分辨率关键参数的小型化检测装置研制

通过分析眼科光学相干层析设备的成像分辨率理论计算模型,设计并研制了一套用于测量其光源光谱和系统数值孔径的小型化检测装置。针对一台商业化的临床在用眼科光学相干层析设备,通过对其关键参数的测量,得到该设备的纵向分辨率为6.9μm,横向分辨率为42.3μm。该检测装置未来可作为眼科光学相干层析设备的质控与计量器具。     

光学CT中扩散方程光子传输模型的Monte Carlo验证

扩散方程模型被广泛应用于光学CT图像的重建中,其精确性直接关系到所成图像的质量。为了研究扩散方程模型对近红外光子输运过程描述的精确性及其适用范围,本文应用Monte Carlo（MC）模拟方法,给出了二维组织体光学CT正向问题的数值模拟结果,并与其扩散方程模型的有限元解进行了分析比较。实验结果表明,基于扩散方程的光子传输模型能较为准确地模拟光子在强散射介质中的输运过程,适用于该种光学参数条件下的图像重建研究。     

线聚焦光学相干层析术的研究

提出了一种高速光学相干层析(OCT)成像技术方案。利用柱面镜的成像特性将传统OCT的点聚焦成像模式改变为线聚焦成像模式,从而降低二维OCT图像的扫描维数,达到提高成像速度的目的。利用ZEMAX光学软件对系统进行光线追迹获得光束经过柱面镜后的聚焦情况。随后采用635nm的激光光源和柱面镜构建了实验系统,实验结果很好地验证了光线追迹仿真结果。     

Multi-frequency diffuse optical tomography

The performance of diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is investigated when multi-modulation frequencies are used simultaneously in the inverse problem in order to cast the forward model. The forward model used was based on the first-order Rytov approximation of the diffusion equation. Numerical measurements were generated with a finite difference approach for configurations relevant to breast optical mammography. The impact of various frequency-set characteristics was evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of sensitivity matrix preconditioning was investigated. The criteria underlying this study were based on a ‘singular value analysis’ and parameter cross-talk between absorption and scattering reconstructions. It had been shown that preconditioning the matrix was necessary to provide accurate results and an even distribution of frequencies within the larger bound. Furthermore, correlating the different criterions used demonstrated that analysis based on optimization of condition number alone was providing misleading results.     

Fast multispectral diffuse optical tomography system for in vivo three-dimensional imaging of seizure dynamics

We describe a multispectral continuous-wave diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system that can be used for in vivo three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of seizure dynamics. Fast 3-D data acquisition is realized through a time multiplexing approach based on a parallel lighting configuration--our system can achieve 0.12 ms per source per wavelength and up to a 14 Hz sampling rate for a full set of data for 3-D DOT image reconstruction. The system is validated using both static and dynamic tissue-like phantoms. An initial in vivo experiment using a rat model of seizure is also demonstrated.     

Robust inference of baseline optical properties of the human head with three-dimensional segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging

We model the capability of a small (6-optode) time-resolved diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system to infer baseline absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the tissues of the human head (scalp, skull, and brain). Our heterogeneous three-dimensional diffusion forward model uses tissue geometry from segmented magnetic resonance (MR) data. Handling the inverse problem by use of Bayesian inference and introducing a realistic noise model, we predict coefficient error bars in terms of detected photon number and assumed model error. We demonstrate the large improvement that a MR-segmented model can provide: 2-10% error in brain coefficients (for 2 x 10(6) photons, 5% model error). We sample from the exact posterior and show robustness to numerical model error. This opens up the possibility of simultaneous DOT and MR for quantitative cortically constrained functional neuroimaging.     

Time-resolved diffuse optical tomographic imaging for the provision of both anatomical and functional information about biological tissue

We present in vivo images of near-infrared (NIR) diffuse optical tomography (DOT) of human lower legs and forearm to validate the dual functions of a time-resolved (TR) NIR DOT in clinical diagnosis, i.e., to provide anatomical and functional information simultaneously. The NIR DOT system is composed of time-correlated single-photon-counting channels, and the image reconstruction algorithm is based on the modified generalized pulsed spectral technique, which effectively incorporates the TR data with reasonable computation time. The reconstructed scattering images of both the lower legs and the forearm revealed their anatomies, in which the bones were clearly distinguished from the muscles. In the absorption images, some of the blood vessels were observable. In the functional imaging, a subject was requested to do handgripping exercise to stimulate physiological changes in the forearm tissue. The images of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, and total hemoglobin concentration changes in the forearm were obtained from the differential images of the absorption at three wavelengths between the exercise and the rest states, which were reconstructed with a differential imaging scheme. These images showed increases in both blood volume and oxyhemoglobin concentration in the arteries and simultaneously showed hypoxia in the corresponding muscles. All the results have demonstrated the capability of TR NIR DOT by reconstruction of the absolute images of the scattering and the absorption with a high spatial resolution that finally provided both the anatomical and functional information inside bulky biological tissues.     

Semi-three-dimensional algorithm for time-resolved diffuse optical tomography by use of the generalized pulse spectrum technique

Although a foil three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction with both 3-D forward and inverse models provide, the optimal solution for diffuse optical tomography (DOT), because of the 3-D nature of photon diffusion in tissue, it is computationally costly for both memory requirement and execution time in a conventional computing environment. Thus in practice there is motivation to develop an image reconstruction algorithm with dimensional reduction based on some modeling approximations. Here we have implemented a semi-3-D modified generalized pulse spectrum technique for time-resolved DOT, where a two-dimensional (2-D) distribution of optical properties is approximately assumed, while we retain 3-D distribution of photon migration in tissue. We have validated the proposed algorithm by reconstructing 3-D structural test objects from both numerically simulated and experimental date. We demonstrate our algorithm by comparing it with the calibrated 2-D reconstruction that is in widespread use as a shortcut to 3-D imaging and proving that the semi-3-D algorithm outperforms the calibrated 2-D algorithm.     

Image correction algorithm for functional three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography brain imaging

We outline a computationally efficient image correction algorithm, which we have applied to diffuse optical tomography (DOT) image time series derived from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brain model. Results show that the algorithm increases spatial resolution, decreases spatial bias, and only modestly reduces temporal accuracy for noise levels typically seen in experiment, and produces results comparable to image reconstructions that incorporate information from MRI priors. We demonstrate that this algorithm has robust performance in the presence of noise, background heterogeneity, irregular external and internal boundaries, and error in the initial guess. However, the algorithm introduces artifacts when the absorption and scattering coefficients of the reference medium are overestimated--a situation that is easily avoided in practice. The considered algorithm offers a practical approach to improving the quality of images from time-series DOT, even without the use of MRI priors.     

Image correction scheme applied to functional diffuse optical tomography scattering images

We have extended our investigation on the use of a linear algorithm for enhancing the accuracy of diffuse optical tomography (DOT) images, to include spatial maps of the diffusion coefficient. The results show that the corrected images are markedly improved in terms of estimated size, spatial resolution, two-object resolving power, and quantitative accuracy. These image-enhancing effects are significant at expected levels of diffusion-coefficient contrast in tissue and noise levels typical of experimental DOT data. Overall, the types and magnitudes of image-enhancing effects obtained here are qualitatively similar to those seen in previous studies on mu(a) perturbations. The implications for practical implementations of DOT time-series imaging are discussed.     

Optical fibre dosemeter systems for clinical applications based on radioluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence from Al2O3:C

Optical fibre dosemeter systems based on radioluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from carbon-doped aluminium oxide (Al(2)O(3):C) crystals were developed for in vivo real-time dose rate and absorbed dose measurements in radiotherapy and mammography. A technique was also developed for making ultra-small dosemeter probes that can easily be placed inside patients in radiation treatment. These probes have shown excellent properties in both head and neck intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment and in mammography. The dose-response of the OSL signal for the new optical fibre dosemeter system showed a repeatability within 0.15% at a dose level of 60 mGy when integrated over 100 s. The temperature dependence in the range 0-45 degrees C showed a reproducibility within 1.3% when the OSL signal was integrated over 100 s.     

Diffuse optical tomography guided quantitative fluorescence molecular tomography

We describe a method that combines fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) with diffuse optical tomography (DOT), which allows us to study the impact of heterogeneous optical property distribution on FMT, an issue that has not been systemically studied. Both numerical simulations and phantom experiments were performed based on our finite-element reconstruction algorithms. The experiments were conducted using a noncontact optical fiber free, multiangle transmission system. In both the simulations and experiments, a fluorescent target was embedded in an optically heterogeneous background medium. The simulation results clearly suggest the necessity of considering the absorption coefficient (mu(a)) and reduced scattering coefficient (mu'(s)) distributions for quantitatively accurate FMT, especially in terms of the accuracy of reconstructed fluorophore absorption coefficient (mu(a(x-->m))). Subsequent phantom experiments with an indocyanine green (ICG)-containing target confirm the simulation findings. In addition, we performed a series of phantom experiments with low ICG concentration (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0 microM) in the target to systematically evaluate the quantitative accuracy of our FMT approach. The results indicate that, with the knowledge of optical property distribution, the accuracy of the recovered fluorophore concentration is improved significantly over that without such a priori information. In particular absolute value of mu(a(x-->m) ) from our DOT guided FMT are quantitatively consistent with that obtained using spectroscopic methods.     

Improvement of image quality in diffuse optical tomography by use of full time-resolved data

In the field of diffuse optical tomography (DOT), it is widely accepted that time-resolved (TR) measurement can provide the richest information on photon migration in a turbid medium, such as biological tissue. However, the currently available image reconstruction algorithms for TR DOT are based mostly on the cw component or some featured data types of original temporal profiles, which are related to the solution of a time-independent diffusion equation. Although this methodology can greatly simplify the reconstruction process, it suffers from low spatial resolution and poor quantitativeness owing to the limitation of effectively applicable data types. To improve image quality, it has been argued that exploiting the full TR data is essential. We propose implementation of a DOT algorithm by using full TR data and furthermore a variant algorithm with time slices of TR data to alleviate the computational complexity and enhance noise robustness. Compared with those algorithms where the featured data types are used, our evaluations on the spatial resolution and quantitativeness show that a significant improvement in imaging quality can be achieved when full TR data are used, which convinces the DOT community of the potential advantage of the TR domain over cw and frequency domains.